iPhone 8 Versus iPhone X

At the beginning of the summer, all eyes were on the release of Apple’s three new iPhones: the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 plus and the iPhone X (pronounced “iPhone ten”). While we’re still waiting for the November release of the ten-year anniversary phone—which drops in November—we do know that the response to the newly-released iPhone 8 has been somewhat underwhelming.

Disappointed Fans

As Apple continues to pursue what some are calling an ethos of “form over function”, numerous complaints are arising about the counterintuitive design properties of the iPhone 8, including people wondering why anyone would buy it over the iPhone X. There were widespread reports that the usual hype and long lines that tend to appear to greet a new Apple launch were decidedly muted when the iPhone 8 launched in September. Let’s take a look at why that might be…

Seeing Through The Hype

The first thing in question about the iPhone 8 is the glass backing. The reason for using glass over metal is to allow for wireless charging, and we’ve seen other smartphones – like the Samsung Galaxy S8 – which also share this design feature. However, many are concerned that adding these glass backs will increase the likelihood for repairs—ones that might even be more costly than the already ubiquitous screen repairs that everyone resents.

The Guardian broke down the cost: “A third-party repair of the glass panel is either going to be very difficult or very expensive, even compared to the screen. Apple’s own AppleCare+ for the iPhone 8, which costs $129, covers up to two damage repairs for two years. For the screen an excess of $25 is due, but repairs to the glass on the back of are only covered under the “other damage” part of the plan. According to AppleInsider, this costs $79 each time, making the back panel more than three times as expensive as the screen.” While adding a protective cover might help, if it’s too thick or protective it might prevent wireless charging (which would defeat the purpose of the glass back to begin with).

Missing the Thrill

Another issue that people seem to be raising is simply that the new model is boring—at a time when other competitors are pushing the envelope more and more. As TechRadar put it: “The ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ argument can be tossed around here, and Apple certainly hasn’t had any trouble shifting large quantities of its smartphone in recent years; but in a year when Samsung and LG dramatically slashed the bezels to give us striking, futuristic designs, the iPhone 8 falls flat. It’s not like Apple has missed this trend – the bezeless iPhone X is testament to the fact that it hasn’t – but it means the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus look ever-more dated against the competition, which now includes a rival in their own camp.”

iPhone X

Overall, it seems like the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus may just not be enough of an upgrade to entice customers to drop hundreds of dollars when they can wait for the iPhone X, which is meant to be a huge departure from the existing design. Upgrades are all about hype, and if there’s nothing to new to get excited about, why part with the cash?

As The Guardian summed it up: “While the iPhone 8 is extremely similar in design to previous generations of the device that has remained consistent since 2014’s iPhone 6, the iPhone X features Apple’s most radical design change since its flagship smartphone’s inception in 2007. The iPhone X drops the iPhone’s home button for the first time, as well as the fingerprint scanner, has facial recognition and an eye-catching all-screen front.”

The team at WestHost has done an excellent job designing and maintaining our website! Customer service is always excellent and response time timely.

Samantha M. (www.cgadventures.org)

In an age where companies frequently cut corners at the expense of customer satisfaction, WestHost is a breath of fresh air. I originally had low expectations for your service given the very affordable rates but have been consistently impressed with all facets or your business. You are the hands-down value leader for hosting services on the Web today.

Greg C.

I have recently implemented two Websites with WestHost and your support team by far has been the most responsive, helpful and easiest to work with group that I have encountered to date and I will surely recommend WestHost in the future.

Tom Ricci (www.riccicommunications.com)

The customer service has been great for us. We're just a bunch of radio people trying to understand the online marketplace and WestHost has been a great help in our online journey.

Eric F. (www.610kvnu.com)

You are doing a fantastic job at keeping low cost full featured Web hosting. We do Web design and have many clients with sites already on servers. We intend to not only bring all clients with new sites to you, but also to transfer existing sites to your servers. We are certain our clients will agree that you are a rare and wonderful find. Thanks and keep it up!

David F.

WestHost designed our website and when saw what with my ideas I was so surprised! It was more beautiful than I had imagined. They did such a great job that we decided to use their design as our logo.

Hope B. (www.loganmemorials.com)

The amount of care and concern displayed by your company and its employees was a breath of fresh air in contrast to the run-around received by [other companies I do business with] all of whom were passing the buck and arrogantly I may add! I am thrilled to do business with a company exemplifying such customer service skills as yours. I assure you that I will communicate my satisfaction and pleasure to as many of my clients that I can when the opportunity arises.

John Rossetti (www.thecateringmill.com)

Making the switch to WestHost has been great for our company. Their customer service has been excellent. They are quick to respond to problems we have and always follow through to make sure issues have been resolved to our satisfaction. Having all our web and email administration under one roof has been very convenient.

Lee T. (www.shopsei.com)

I selected WestHost for my site in 1997 and have been ever so grateful of my choice. Incredibly reliable, attentive and by far the most user friendly provider in the world. I am utterly impressed with your 'World Class' performance.